How To Choose the Best Flooring for Dogs
The biggest factor in choosing flooring for dogs is generally toilet training, followed by the potential for scratches from claws.
What To Consider When Choosing the Best Flooring for Dogs
Claws: Long, sharp claws can scratch wood, pull strands from pile carpeting, and reduce a dog's traction on hard, pre-finished surfaces. Muck: For dogs that like to track in mud, you'll need non-absorbent flooring that is easy to clean. Dog's Size: Bigger dogs with larger claws can cause more damage and have bigger accidents. Dog's Health: If joint problems (hip dysplasia, IVDD, etc.) are a potential concern, opt for grippier floors, like carpet, or include rugs. Easy Cleanup: Avoid flooring that collects hair (like carpeting or grooved engineered hardwood) if your dog sheds heavily and you don't plan to vacuum daily. Soakability or Staining: Pet urine can permanently stain porous materials like natural stone. It can also soak through the joints of hardwood and laminates, causing odour and warping.
5 Best Flooring Types for Dogs
The ideal material provides cushion and traction while resisting scratches and repelling liquids.
Epoxy:
Pros: Most durable material, non-scratch, non-absorbent, non-slip, provides plenty of grip. Considered the overall best choice, especially over a concrete slab foundation (or solid ground floor).
Ceramic Tile:
Pros: Cleans up with little effort, making it a phenomenal choice for puppy areas.
Caveat: Unsealed grout is absorbent, so tile must be grouted frequently to prevent retaining odours and staining.
Non-porous Stone (Granite, Slate, and Quartzite):
Pros: Grippy and usually relatively easy to clean.
Caveat: Can stain if pet urine is left on the surface. Sealing regularly helps control stainability.
Luxury Vinyl:
Pros: Affordable, cushiony, waterproof, easy to install, provides plenty of traction. Individual panels can be replaced if chewed through.
Cork Planks:
Pros: Hypoallergenic, antibacterial, sustainably sourced, provides plenty of traction, and is exceptionally stain resistant when properly coated with urethane finish.
Drawback: Urine can soak through the gaps between snap-together planks if left standing; accidents must be wiped up quickly.
3 Worst Flooring Types for Dogs
Carpet:
Cons: Hard to clean up vomit or accidents. Retains hair and allergens, even hypoallergenic ones.
Solid Hardwood (Finished on-site):
Cons: The finish rarely resists scratching. Untended urine deposits can soak in, leading to permanent odours and warping. (Engineered hardwood with a durable factory finish is better.)
Porous Stone (Marble, Travertine, and Sandstone):
Cons: Readily absorbs liquids and stains (even when sealed). Soft porous stone also scratches easily.
Source: www.FamilyHandyman.com
